Even as the kids were busy washing dishes and Jack was calling someone on Diwana's landline, Eron was still talking with his friend via mobile while leaning against the porch's antique wooden railing. Since he had already cleaned up the dining table, he was quite at ease continuing his conversations with his former co-worker. 

Also, he made sure that the body scents of everybody in the house were nowhere near him, along with the smell of that irritating spy that he kept sniffing out the whole day. For everyone's safety, he needed to, so he was sure that whatever his close friend was telling him stayed between them.

Too bad they're not in the same pack, so they could just easily mindlink...

“Well Eron, you said that you can shift, right? If you can shift, then I don’t see why you couldn’t do any of the other things that a werewolf can do, especially finding your mate. And judging by how you’re acting right now... I'd like to think… no, not think... BELIEVE that you have found your mate... She's a her, right?”

“Of course, she's a HER! What the hell, did you think my mate is a him?”

“Hey, no judgement bro, whatever floats your boat," The Ogre replied, and that was one of those weird occasions in which a smile could be heard in his voice.

And yeah, Hero knew that anything was possible with his close friend, yet he was not ready to see exactly what Eron was talking about since the newbie had just arrived at the village.

There was a short silence on the line as realization hit our dear Eron like he was a punching bag. 

It was true! Each and every word Hero told him in that conversation resonated with him: The way he felt, more than anything else, the many things that Eron thought and even the things he ignored, the way he was trying to avoid the topic by finding explanations or excuses. 

In the end, he knew better than to deny what H said.

But there was one big issue that was troubling him the most...

And he blurted it out, almost automatically, over the phone.

“Hero, I… don’t deserve a mate…”

“Excuse me, do you know who you're talking to? Who I’ve been? The things I’ve done? You’re not even close to how dirty my history is compared to yours… except for being a manwhore and that’s indeed on you.”

“Thanks, bro… I really needed that,” Eron chuckled at the reminder, yet, he was still unsure how a professional killer - and add to that, a womanizer - would ever be worthy of calling a lady, like the one in question, his mate.

“You’re welcome, bro. You know me, I’m not into sugarcoating. And by the way, I never lived with other werewolves, but I’m pretty sure that if you didn’t have a wolf, you wouldn’t be able to have any special abilities at all. I'm pretty much saying that maybe you have a mute wolf…"

"A mute wolf? That is not exactly comforting, H."

"At least that is more possible than you not having a wolf at all.”

More realization hit…

And another long silence via Eron. 

The Ogre found it strange that he was now the one talking while the former assassin was very quiet. Never had Hero thought it possible that The Charmer could shut ever up with this topic, and yet there they were.

“But anyway, aren't you going to tell me about her?” Hero finished, bringing Eron back from Lala land.

“Oh… yeah… well, I live with her now… I mean...”

“What?”

“NO! No, it’s not like that! I haven’t even touched a hair on her head, man, I swear…”

“WHAT?! And you're already living with her but haven't...”

“No, I haven't because I just want to protect her… and her kids!”

Their pause was almost tense this time…

“Eron… bro… do you have a fever? I believe you need a doctor… Or really, I’m thinking someone is impersonating you. I didn’t think I’d live to see the day where you…" the disbelief was still evident in Hero's tone, so he then took a couple of deep breaths to get himself a bit calmer before going back to the topic. "Ok, ok... tell me more…”

“Well, she’s a lady… a real one, proper, smart, interesting, funny… We’ve met within such a short time but it feels… I mean, I already feel… trust… comfort… warmth... I even feel so at home... but I’ve been so sure that it wasn’t possible… what do I do if she really is... you know...”

“You don’t have to make choices, bro. Don’t worry, you’ll feel the urges, and it will be almost impossible to resist them. And I don’t mean only to make love to her, but everything else… That’s the clearest sign for you to be sure, so you can just… Well, try not to hurt her, ok? And the rest will happen on its own. Believe me, you'll see.”

“I do believe you, I’ve just never… been like this…”

“I know… I had a hard time at first but my mate… she chose me... and kept choosing me, even despite the… circumstances, even if she was... human... The mate bond is amazing, and when you start experiencing it, you don’t go back to the simple, the ‘normal,' the push to not to be alone, or to choose just any pretty girl for the sake of fucking her…"

"That last one hurt bro, hehe. I won't even ask because you already called me a manwhore… But just so you know, I'm not that easy. Sure, sex is enjoyable... even amazing, but I don't just feel I'm at ease with someone just because I banged her. But with HER, I haven't even touched her but I already feel like I'm supposed to be here with her and her children. That's not normal, bro! Especially for me!"

"Talking about normal…" Hero said slowly, even squeezing in a deep breath as if he was unsure of what he was about to say, "Before I forget, there is something that I need to ask you.”

“Oh-kaaayyy, that’s new… Anything for you, bro. Just tell me.”

“There are some people that I need to get some information about, and I was wondering if you could get it for me… It’s about Jack Schneider and his parents.”

“Hmmm... Is that because of…you know, what happened here back then?”

“Yes, that’s a very personal favor, so if you can, please help me out. I’ll find a way to thank you, you know that.”

“No need, bro… You have no idea of how much this conversation has done for me, so I’ll gladly tell you. Besides, since I’m already working for the guy, I can easily find a way to ask him. Leave it to me, I’ll keep you updated.”

“Thanks, bro, I really appreciate it. And, about your mate, like I said before, don’t force it, ok?”

“Thank you H, you’re a lifesaver… quite literally.”

“Heh, don’t mention it. Now, this has been a lot of fun, but I need to go. My kids will want some snacks. Enjoy your new adventure, bro. And don’t forget what I told you about Chin. Please be very careful, you hear me?”

“I will. Thanks again.”